were absolute garbage... The official who called the elbowing on Trouba was nowhere near the play and could only see the backside of Trouba, so how he called that nonsense is beyond me (FWIW, I'm completely biased and the play happened right in front of me). As for the second call, the whole play should have been stopped for an interference call on Ferris State. Oh well...

and they are finally coming together. Playing with more intensity, crisper passing, better attacking of the net, better defense and goaltending. Yep, I just went through all the cliches but they're all true.

Racine in particular looked great in warmups and just seems relaxed out there tonight.

A win tomorrow and a notre dame win over bowling green, and Michigan will get home ice.

More importantly, I want the seniors to be sent off with a win. Plus it's Michigan's final game in the CCHA that will count towards their conference record. Playoff games don't count as an all-time conference standing.

It's a victory, a moral victory, a morale victory and a 3-game winning streak.

I think Racine may have had his "brunette" moment in that he's getting more comfortable in net. In hindsight, it was a bit unfair to assume he'd go all Marty Turco from the start. But he's a big kid and fills up the net and his defenders aren't hanging him out to dry.

I like Trouba bringing the puck up the ice because he's fast and disruptive. I wish he'd stay outof the penalty box more, but that will come...

I think this has been the most painful hockey season I have gone to and it is great to see improvement even if late.